Lithops pseudotruncatella

Truncate Living Stone

The clump forming Lithops pseudotruncatella is a living stones plant because of its stone like appearance.

These are grown for their uniqueness rather than beauty and can be bought as part of a collection of living stones.

Description

The Lithops Pseudotruncatella also goes by the name of truncate living stone and it is found in the South Western areas of Africa and belongs to the Aizoaceae family.

This is a near stemless plant with succulent stone like thick leaves , growing freely to a maximum height of 10cm and a spread of 10cm’s.

It is a hardy plant that is relatively simple to grow and maintain which makes it ideal for amateur gardeners.

It was one of the first species of this genus to be discovered and it was the first specie to be found in European collections. They grow mainly during the winter months where maintenance is low and the growth slows during the summer months.

Foliage: This is an evergreen plant that has olive green and brown foliage. And, of course it's unique because of its stone like appearance.

Flowering: The flowers are bright yellow in color and open during the late summer and autumn. The flowers are fleshy and around 4cm in size.

Displaying: The plant should be displayed in a location that is South or West facing due to needing plenty of sun exposure. It is fine to place them in an open location but they are not suitable to be placed in areas where a draft may be present.

Care Level: Due to the harsh environment that the plant is used to, it is relatively easy to care for. It requires very little watering and is a plant that can look after itself in a way.

In its own environment it can often go months without water and this makes it a very hardy plant. The plant requires no pruning.

Facts

Not known, but it's unlikely a pet will chew on this type of foliage, although they could be curious.

Lithops pseudotruncatella Care

Temperature:

The Lithop Pseudotruncatella is a plant that is suitable for a wide range of temperatures ranging from 50°F to 100°F. However, to ensure that the plant receives a stable and consistent temperature it is best to position it in temperatures of around 65°F - 75°F where it will thrive.

Light:

It grows extremely well in South or West facing areas due to it needing constant sunlight.

Watering:

Once new leaves have developed during the summer the plant can be watered. The pot is almost left to dry out before being watered again and this generally continues through until October. However, during the height of summer it is recommended that the plant is watered a minimum of once a week but during the winter months the plant is kept dry.

Soil:

Lithops prefer a soil that drains well with very little organic matter. A permeable substrate can be added to the soil along with gravel and sand to improve drainage

Re-Potting:

The best time to re-pot is prior to its first watering with a well-drained loam-based compost being the best choice.

Air Humidity:

Normal room humidity will work fine but air circulation is advisable providing it is not directly placed near a cold draft.

Propagation:

It is possible to use cuttings but this is not always worthwhile as old plants can become tired looking. Therefore, it is best to propagate by seed that is sown at a temperature of 66-70 °F during the early spring.

Fertilizer:

It will not require fertilization as this only weaken the tissues of the plant which can lead to rot.

Potential Problems

Mealybugs – The plant is susceptible to mealybugs which can hide under dead flowers and dried leaves

Rot – If planted in poor soil it can lead to rot. Also, overwatering and waterlogged soil will cause rot.